Lance, I was looking up some information on Newcastle Jazz in the '50s and I came across a mention of the Newcastle Jazz Club in the Royal Arcade and a link to a photograph. I couldn't find the photograph but I contacted Steve Ellwood who owns the site http://www.steve-ellwood.org.uk/ and he kindly sent me a copy and gave me permission to use it. Steve tells me that this was sent to him a long time ago and he can't remember the source but it was named Royal Arcade - Newcastle Jazz Club and he thought the band was George Hornsby's. It looks a bit posh for a Jazz Club and I was told that George used to have a residency at the Milvain, could it be there? If you think any of your readers might have an input please feel free. Alfred Stone.
Well Alf, I never was in the Arcade Jazz Club as it was a little before my time. However, the arcade was quite an elegant place so it is possible.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall George Hornsby either although they look to be a dance band rather than the trad outfits that played at the club.
As regards the Milvain, I only knew it after the fire in 1960 so I couldn't comment on that either.
Which means that it's up to any guys out there old enough to remember the Royal Arcade Jazz Club or the Milvain in it's glory days as a dance hall. I seem to recall that Freddy Stebbings had a residency there in the 1950s.
Suggestions please.
Before my time too Lance but interesting you mention Freddy Stebbings - my Uncle Ron (Scone) Veitch (drummer) was my dad's youngest brother. He played a long term residency with Freddy (in a trio) at The Pineapple Club at Elswick. I went along to see them a few times - it included s good jazzy pianist who's name I can't remember. The pianist played me some blues and boogie woogie which I liked at the time. Early 60s I would think. I was getting into jazz then - via Peterson mainly (I got the Night Train album and was hooked). Its not Ron on the photo though.
ReplyDeleteRoly
Hi Lance, That picture is not the Jazz club in the Royal Arcade which was in the Socialist Hall which was also used for "spuggie" (spiritual) meetings. It was a fairly small, grungy, oblong room upstairs at the far end of the Arcade I was only there twice, once to see Josh White the folk & blues singer, he sang the House Of The Rising Sun & I sometimes wonder if that's where the Animals got the song from. I also saw Mick Mulligan & Melly there with Ronnie McLean depping on trombone.
ReplyDeleteI was once or twice at the Milvain the band had M H on the music stands whoever they were. The most everlasting memory of the place is dodging the battles. Oh happy days (mid fifties).
Miles
That certainly wasn't the Arcade Jazz Club. I played there with Clem Avery, John Wheatley, John Saxelby, Peter Deuchar, Eric Miller, etc, etc. and we used to practice there on a fairly regular basis. One highlight was when Big Bill Broonzy visited the Club. Peter Deuchar gave him a bottle of ten year old malt and Bill just sang and sang - accompamied by the resident local musicians for some numbers. A great memory.
ReplyDeleteJack Goodwin.
Lance and friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input.
Regards,
Alf